Take-away assembly

ABSTRACT

The invention concerns the manufacture of bag casings and as represented in some detail in FIGS. 1-4, can employ a suitable roll feed or the like (not shown) from which film tubing 12 is advanced to a pleating station 14, and then onto and through a hollow cone-shaped element 18. The pleating station, assisted by element 18, pleats and compactly gathers the tubing prior to application of metal clips thereto at a station 20. A knife housing or cut-off device 22 is spaced downwardly from the clipping station an amount that determines the length of the casings to be manufactured, and preferably includes a slot or opening of sufficient width to pass the tubing, but not the clip. Pressure of the clip against the housing signals the knife to cut, and simultaneously station 20 to clip one bag length back. The process repeats automatically by use of a take-away assembly including a tube end positioner 24 located before the knife housing, and which pivotally lifts the cut end or tail 26 of the tubing upwardly into a pickup zone to be grasped and pulled forward by fingers 30 attached to a continuously moving chain 32, the fingers being forcibly closed at the proper movement by riding between opposed rail means 34. Reverse movement of end positioner returns the tubing to the knife slot to automatically restart the manufacturing cycle.

Elite ttes Plagata et a1.

[ 1 TAKE-AWAY ASSEMBLY [75] Inventors: Ernesto D. Plagata, Chesterland;

Charles G. ONeal, Hinckley; Michael Kichurchak, Parma, all of Ohio [73] Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company,

Midland, Mich.

[22] Filed: Oct. 1, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 185,509

[52] US. Cl. 93/8 WA, 93/33 R, 93/84 TW,

' 198/180, 271/79, 83/277 [51] llnt. Cl B311) 1/94 [58] Field of Search 198/179, 180; 271/79;

553/267, 277, 151, 154, 279; 93/84 TW, 84 R, 8 R, 26, 33 R, 8 WA Primary Examiner-Roy Lake Assistant Examiner.lames F. Coan Attorney, Agent, or FirmBurke M. Halldorson [57] ABSTRACT The invention concerns the manufacture of bag casings and as represented in some detail in FIGS. 1-4, can employ a suitable roll feed or the like (not shown) from which film tubing 12 is advanced to a pleating station 14, and then onto and through a hollow coneshaped element 18. The pleating station, assisted by element 18, pleats and compactly gathers the tubing prior to application of metal clips thereto at a station 20. A knife housing or cut-off device 22 is spaced downwardly from the clipping station an amount that determines the length of the casings to be manufactured, and preferably includes a slot or opening of sufficient width to pass the tubing, but not the clip. Pressure of the clip against the housing signals the knife to cut, and simultaneously station 20 to clip one bag length back. The process repeats automatically by use of a take-away assembly including a tube end positioner 24 located before the knife housing, and which pivotally lifts the cut end or tail 26 of the tubing upwardly into a pickup zone to be grasped and pulled forward by fingers 30 attached to a continuously moving chain 32, the fingers being forcibly closed at the proper movement by riding between opposed rail means 34. Reverse movement of end positioner retu ms the tubing to the knife slot to automatically restart the manufacturing cycle.

12 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures TAKE-AWAY ASSEMBLY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention discloses an automatic takeaway system particularly adapted for use in combination with existing commercial machines of the type designed for clipping and cutting plastic tubing at regular intervals to form therefrom bag casings. The casings referred to may be simply a discreet length of plastic tubing gathered and fastened at one end such as by a metallic clip or wire, and left open at its opposite end to receive the product fill. This variety of bag is used extensively for packaging poultry, as well as a wide selection of non-poultry products.

The existing machines noted above are most often manually assisted by an operator who grasps and pulls the plastic tube material through the machine. Ordinarily such a machine will include a clipping station, and a knife housing or cut-off assembly located at spaced distance downwardly from the clipping station. The length of the casing to be manufactured is determined by the amount of spacing between these two devices. The knife housing may for example, be of a type including a knife slot of sufficient width to allow the plastic tube material to pass but not the clip, the latter having been earlier applied one bag length back. Thus when the clip gets to the knife slot, the same jams against the housing. This event signals the knife to cut, and simultaneously the clipping station to clip one bag length back. The tube is then grasped manually by the operator and pulled forward until the previously applied clip reaches and jams against the knife housing, thus reactivating the machine. The operator will normally continue until, for example, three to six or more casings are accumulated in hand, and then ordinarily will stop to place the casings in the spot appointed, usually a cardboard shipping box.

Aside from the la bor expense of the operator, commercial machines of the specific type noted, and related machines used for a generally like purpose, are ordinarily not operated at their peak efficiency due to the limiting factor of the manual steps. Also, there is usually a substantial drag on the tube that can be extremely fatiguing to the operator over an extended working period;

It is the primary objective of the present invention, therefore, to provide a fully automatic, commercially attractive system for the manufacture of bag casings from continuous plastic tubing material.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION Briefly then, the invention in its broadest 'form concerns an automatic take-away system, and more particularly the combination of such a system with certain existing commercial machines. The machines referred to may include a device for applying metal clips to plastic tubing at regular intervals, and a knife housing spaced one bag length downwardly of the clipping station. the take-away system as used in this embodiment, includes a tube end positioner located forward of the knife housing, and which in the interval following each cut-off by the knife, pivotally lifts the cut end or tail of the tubing upwardly into a pick-up zone to be grasped by finger means. The finger means may be mounted on a continuously moving chain or belt, and are forcibly closed at the proper moment by riding between opposed rail means or bumpers. Subsequent reverse movement of the end positioner relocates the tubing, as it is being pulled forward, properly with respect to the knife housing, to restart the manufacturing cycle. As will become apparent hereinafter, the take-away system disclosed herein is relatively inexpensive, and can efficiently maximize the speed at which said casings are manufactured.

The preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in the accompanying drawing wherein wheresoever possible, like reference numerals designate corresponding material and parts throughout the several views thereof in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view showing machinery for automatically manufacturing bag casings from plastic tubing in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a partial, enlarged view showing'an end positioner assembly used in the process and machinery of FIG. 1, to controllably position the cut end or tail of the plastic tubing responsive-to certain stages in the operating cycle of the machinery;

FIG. 3 is a partial, enlarged view of a finger assembly which with cooperation from said end positioner picks up the tail end of the cut tube to advance the tube incrementally through said machinery; and

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view showing the structure of roller elements used in the end positioner assembly of FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring nowsomewhat more particularly to the drawings, FIGS. 1-4 illustrate machinery 10 for automatically manufacturing bag casings, the finished casing being a discreet length of plastic tubing gathered and tied at one end as by a metal clip or wire, and which is open at its opposite end for filling.

Before specific mention as to the finer detail of such machinery is attempted, the same will be described generally as comprising a conventional roll feed or the like (not shown) from which plastic film tubing 12 is advanced to a film pleating station 14, the latter being supported such as on suitable table means shown generally at 16. Receiving the film from pleating station 14 is a hollow cone-shaped element 18 through which the film is internally threaded. Element 18, with cooperation of the pleating device, gathers the film compactly to assist application of metal clips thereto at a clipping station represented schematically at 20. Aknife housing or cutoff device 22, also shown schematically, is located a spaced distance downwardly of the clipping station. The spacing between the clipping station and the knife housing will control the length of the casing to be manufactured, as will become more evident hereinafter.

The knife housing can be of a known type, preferably including a knife slot, for example, which is of sufficient width to pass the tubing, but not the clip. Pressure of the clip against the housing causes movement, such as by means ofspring loading the housing, which in turn activates switches signaling the housing to cut, and simultaneously station 20 to clip at a position one bag length back. The tubing is out each time just slightly forward of the clip. For further detail regarding a knife housing of this type, as combined with a clipping station, reference may be had to US. Pat. No. 3,261,268.

Referring now in more detail to the advance provided by the present invention, located at the forward side, but closely adjacent the knife housing 22 is a tube end positioner designated generally at 24, and which pivotally lifts the cut end or tail 26 of the tubing upwardly responsive to the upstroke of an air cylinder or like activating means shown at 28. End positioner 24 is operated subsequent to each activation of the knife housing by suitable switching means to be described more fully hereinafter. Tail end 26 in this manner is controllably positioned in a pick-up zone where it is grasped by a finger assembly or means 30, the latter being carried by a continuously moving chain 32. The finger assembly is preferably spring loaded open and is forcibly closed at the proper moment by riding between opposed parallel rail means or bumpers 34. Subsequently, as the tube is being pulled forward by the fingers, air cylinder 28 is reversely operated, whereby the end positioner, assisted by the moving fingers, guides the tubing back into the knife slot to repeat the manufacturing process.

Referring more now to the detail of the preferred embodiment of the invention, the structure. of end position 24 is best shown in FIG. 3. The end positioner includes a stationary, forwardly curved plate 36 of a resilient sheet material, for example, and which is cooperative with a roller 38 for pinching the tubing therebetween at a point preferably about 3 to 6 inches behind of the knife housing. The roller 38 is carried in slots 40 associated with spaced apart mounting plates 42 (only one shown), which are pivotably moveable as a unit about a bearing point 44. The ends of roller 38 are connected to springs 46 so that in the upward position shown in dotted lines in FIG..2, roller 38 is spring loaded downwardly firmly against plate 36. In the downward position shown in full lines, roller 38 is carried in the upper reaches of slots 40 by the relaxed springs 46. Thus, in the latter position, tubing 12 is permitted to pass lightly under the raised roller 38 with creation of little or minimum drag force thereon.

End positioner 24 further includes a pair of rollers 48, arranged in generally nip like association at a region slightly forward of roller 38. Rollers 48 are adapted to receive between them the tubing, and pivotally lift-tail end 26 upwardly into the pick-up zone as described, the tail end preferably being about 3 to 6 inches in length, and being defined as is readily appreciable, by the location of the pinch point formed between plate 36 and roller 38. The stroke arm of the air cylinder operating endv positioner 24, can be rotatably attached to plates 42, for example, along the same axis as the lower of the nip rollers 48, and through means as represented generally by yoke member 50. The air cylinder is also pivotally carried at its lower end (not shown); or otherwise may be associated with the end positioner in any manner that would be consistant with the, pivotal movement of the latter about bearing point The structure of rollers 38 and 48 are preferably as shown in FIG. 4 each including a hollowed out midregion portion as denoted generally at 52.'The hollows associated with the nip rollers 48, thus form together a preferably cylindrical or oval opening through which the tubing 12 passes in relatively gathered or compact form. The tubing is thus tracked by the end positioner assembly such that the position of the tubing is 7 laterally stabilized in the vicinity of the knife housing. Further, such gathering or compacting of the film at regions at and forward of the aforenoted pinch point, imputes stiffness to tail end 16 to assist pivotally raising and positioning the same in the pick-up zone. The function of tracking and gathering of the film by the end positioner is preferably assisted by a second stationary hollow element 54 through which tubing 12 can be passed just before it reaches the end positioner.

The preferred structure of each finger assembly 30 is best shown in FIG. 3, and preferably comprises a pair of pivotally openable and closeable jaws 56. Jaws 54, for example, can be moveable in suitable bracing means 58, in turn, fixedly attached in any suitable manner, for example, to the link structure 60 of chain 32. The jaws may be resiliently lined as shown at 62, and are spring loaded outwardly such as by any suitable means, the detail of which would be elementary and therefore which is not discussed in depth herein.

Each jaw rigidly carries an extended arm member 64 which at its outer extremity carries a'rotatable wheel member 66. The wheel members ride between the aforesaid rail means 34, thereby forcibly closing the jaws at the proper moment, as described. Preferably each wheel would be lined with an outer rim layer of suitable long-wearing rubber, or like resilient material. Also it is preferable to spring load the rail means 34 inwardly toward each other, such as in any conventional and suitable manner. ,One advantage of this is to automatically compensate for wear-back of the rimof the wheel means. Further it prevents possible binding between the wheel members and the rail means, and correspondingly the possibility of excessive pressure applied against the wheel members by the rails.

The chain 32 is driven preferably by a variable speed electric motor (not shown) about sprock'et means 68, the latter being rotatably carried by a suitable table and associated frame work as shown partially at 70. Spaced apart switch zones A and B are shown along the lower run of chain 32. Switch zone A schematically represents the area of placement of a switch for operating air cylinder 28 downwardly, and consequently lowering end positioner 24 to the position shown in full lines; and switch'zone B the placement. of a switch for reversely operating the end positioner to the upper position shown in dotted lines. Switch zone A can be placed less than one bag from the knife housing,- and-zone B for example, can reside more than one bag length therefrom. However, the above values are only meaningful depending on the position of the mechanism activating such switching which preferably is a bar or extention (not shown) attached to chain 32 in a vicinity slightly forward of each finger assembly 30. As the bar passes the switches the same are automatically operated by engagement with the bar. If the activating bars are otherwise placed, however, corresponding repositioning of the switching zone A and B, of course,

' may be called for.

In any event, with the switching arrangement shown, it is readily apparent that at some time before the precedingly applied clip reaches housing 22, switch A will be activated to relocate the tubing downwardly, thereby directing the tube (and clip) into the knife slot to operate the knife housing and clipping station simultaneously. Then subsequently switch B will be activated to operate the end positioner upwardly, and thus raise the tail end of the freshly cut tube to restart the manufacturing cycle. The finished casing that is, the one last cut-off from the tube, will be carried forward by the finger assembly, along the lower run of the chain, and until rail means 34 terminates, thus causing the fingers to automatically release the casing. As may be appreciated, an accumulator (not shown) may be conveniently positioned at the end of the rail means to catch the casings as they are released from the fingers. For example, a pair of parallel bars could catch the neck of the casing under the clip to thereby collect and accumulate such casings in draped vertical fashion. Alternately such bars might be replaced by moving belts that would catch and hold the finished casing in a like manner, while simultaneously moving the same forward to the desired area, such as to a packing area. An electric eye, for example, and additional belts, can be combined readily with the above to collect a specific number of finished casings, and then forward the same as a group, for example, to ease packing and counting of the casmgs.

As may be appreciated the take-away assembly as described above including particularly the end positioner, the continuously moving chain, and the finger assemblies associated therewith, automatically control the speed of the manufacturing process. By speeding up the variable drive operating the chain, or by adding additional finger assemblies, the processing speed is automatically increased. By slowing the variable speed drive, or by removing the number of finger assemblies on the chain, the manufacturing process is automatically slowed down.

Referring now to some other specifics of the invention, the normal pleating device consists simply ofspaced apart parallel plates which may be interleaved as shown in U .8. Pat. No. 2,697,970. However, it is preferred that only one set of such plates, preferably upwardly extending plates are used, This would minimize drag on the film. The upper edges of such plates can carry flush therewith, rotatable wafer-like discs to further reduce film drag. Also the use of element 18, just before the cutting station, has been implemented by the present invention to compactly gather the film so that conceivably the pleating station might be eliminated altogether, or at most only lightly defined pleats need be formed into the film due to the gathering effect of the element 16.

While the invention has been described particularly as regards a preferred clipping station and knife housing 50, these devices are conventional, and of course, equivalents thereof may be substituted therefor in practicing the teachings of the present invention. Moreover, it is clearly conceivable that the clipping or cut-off stations might be placed adjacent each other, rather than one-bag length apart, and this latter machinery can utilize the automatic take-away system of the present invention, but with the appropriate minor modifications as may be necessary.

Accordingly, while certain representative embodiments and details have been shown for the purpose of illustrating the invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a combination with a machine of a general type wherein a clipping device and a cutter are provided for applying clips to continuous tubular material at regular intervals, and to cut the material to form therefrom bag casings, the improvement of which comprises, a tube end positioner for pivotally moving the cut tail end of the tubing from the cutter to a pick up zone, a conveyor means, at least one grasping head attached to the conveyor means and being adapted for continuous conveyance thereby in a closed path traversing the pick up zone, the grasping head being operable between release and grasping positions and being regulated by rail means to operate at the proper moment to grasp said tail end in the pick up zone and advance said tubing at least one casing length with each such pick up of the tubing, means to operate the end positioner to return said tubing to the cutter before the tubing has been drawn forward one casing length by the grasping head, and following the operation of the cutter, means to reversely operate the end positioner to pivotally move the next cut tail end into the pick up zone, said rail means being adapted to operate the grasping head to the release position for unloading therefrom the cut-off portion of the tube prior to return of the grasping head to the pick up zone to repeat the manufacturing cycle,

said continuously moving conveyor means operating switching to program the reverse movement of the end positioner in properly timed relationship with the operation of said grasping means.

2. The machine of claim 1 wherein said end positioner is adapted to pinch the tubing at a point to the rear of the cutting device, and to pivotally raise the tail end of the tubing as defined between the pinch point and the cutting device, into said pick-up zone.

3. The machine of claim 2 including means to track and gather said tubing to stabilize the lateral positioning thereof, and to stiffen the tubing in the vicinity of said tail end to assist pivotally raising the same into said pick-up zone.

4. In combination with a machine of a general type whereina clipping device and a cutter are provided for applying clips to elongated tubular material at regular intervals, and severing the material to form therefrom bag casings, the improvement of which comprises, a tube end positioner which is adapted to engage and pivotally' move the tail end of the tubing from the cutter to a pick up zone responsive to and following each operation of the cutter, grasping means movable continuously about a closed path, and adapted to engage and pick up said tail end in said zone to pull said tubing forward through the machine, means to reversely move the end positioner to return said tubing to said cutter accompanying forwarding movement of the tubing, and means in moving relationship with said grasping means, and adapted to operate switching to program the reverse movement of the end positioner in properly timed relationship with the operation of the grasping means.

5. The improved machine of claim 4 wherein said cutter is spaced approximately one-casing length downwardly of the clipping device, and is activated by said clips, and wherein activation of the cutter automatically activates the clipping device.

6. The improved machine of claim 5 including rail means, said grasping means being regulated to close at the proper moment to grasp said tubing in said zone by riding said rail means.

7. The improved machine of claim 4 wherein said grasping means comprises opposed finger means at least one of which is movable toward and away from the other to grasp said tail end.

8. The improved machine of claim 7 including stationary rail means cooperative with said finger means for opening and closing the latter at the proper intervals.

9. The improved machine of claim wherein said grasping means includes opposed finger means at least one of which is movable toward and away from the other, conveyor means mounting said finger means, and for continuously moving the finger means about a closed path, and rail means cooperative with said finger means to regulate the opening and closing thereof.

10. The improved machine of claim 5 wherein said end positioner is adapted to pinch said tubing at a region forward of said cutter to pivotally raise said tail end, and means to reversibly move said end positioner before said grasping means has advanced said tubing one-casing length, whereby said end positioner cooperatively with the moving grasping means is adapted to automatically return the tubing to the cutter to restart the manufacturing cycle.

11. The improved machine of claim 10 wherein said grasping means conveyor includes opposed finger means, conveyor means mounting said finger means and for continuously moving said finger means about a closed path, and rail means cooperative with said finger means to regulate the opening and closing thereof.

12. The improved machine of claim 11 including means to gather the tubing in the vicinity of the tail end thereof to stiffen said tubing to assist pivotally raising the same into said pick-up zone. 

1. In a combination with a machine of a general type wherein a clipping device and a cutter are provided for applying clips to continuous tubular material at regular intervals, and to cut the material to form therefrom bag casings, the improvement of which comprises, a tube end positioner for pivotally moving the cut tail end of the tubing from the cutter to a pick up zone, a conveyor means, at least one grasping head attached to the conveyor means and being adapted for continuous conveyance thereby in a closed path traversing the pick up zone, the grasping head being operable between release and grasping positions and being regulated by rail means to operate at tHe proper moment to grasp said tail end in the pick up zone and advance said tubing at least one casing length with each such pick up of the tubing, means to operate the end positioner to return said tubing to the cutter before the tubing has been drawn forward one casing length by the grasping head, and following the operation of the cutter, means to reversely operate the end positioner to pivotally move the next cut tail end into the pick up zone, said rail means being adapted to operate the grasping head to the release position for unloading therefrom the cut-off portion of the tube prior to return of the grasping head to the pick up zone to repeat the manufacturing cycle, said continuously moving conveyor means operating switching to program the reverse movement of the end positioner in properly timed relationship with the operation of said grasping means.
 2. The machine of claim 1 wherein said end positioner is adapted to pinch the tubing at a point to the rear of the cutting device, and to pivotally raise the tail end of the tubing as defined between the pinch point and the cutting device, into said pick-up zone.
 3. The machine of claim 2 including means to track and gather said tubing to stabilize the lateral positioning thereof, and to stiffen the tubing in the vicinity of said tail end to assist pivotally raising the same into said pick-up zone.
 4. In combination with a machine of a general type wherein a clipping device and a cutter are provided for applying clips to elongated tubular material at regular intervals, and severing the material to form therefrom bag casings, the improvement of which comprises, a tube end positioner which is adapted to engage and pivotally move the tail end of the tubing from the cutter to a pick up zone responsive to and following each operation of the cutter, grasping means moveable continuously about a closed path, and adapted to engage and pick up said tail end in said zone to pull said tubing forward through the machine, means to reversely move the end positioner to return said tubing to said cutter accompanying forwarding movement of the tubing, and means in moving relationship with said grasping means, and adapted to operate switching to program the reverse movement of the end positioner in properly timed relationship with the operation of the grasping means.
 5. The improved machine of claim 4 wherein said cutter is spaced approximately one-casing length downwardly of the clipping device, and is activated by said clips, and wherein activation of the cutter automatically activates the clipping device.
 6. The improved machine of claim 5 including rail means, said grasping means being regulated to close at the proper moment to grasp said tubing in said zone by riding said rail means.
 7. The improved machine of claim 4 wherein said grasping means comprises opposed finger means at least one of which is movable toward and away from the other to grasp said tail end.
 8. The improved machine of claim 7 including stationary rail means cooperative with said finger means for opening and closing the latter at the proper intervals.
 9. The improved machine of claim 5 wherein said grasping means includes opposed finger means at least one of which is movable toward and away from the other, conveyor means mounting said finger means, and for continuously moving the finger means about a closed path, and rail means cooperative with said finger means to regulate the opening and closing thereof.
 10. The improved machine of claim 5 wherein said end positioner is adapted to pinch said tubing at a region forward of said cutter to pivotally raise said tail end, and means to reversibly move said end positioner before said grasping means has advanced said tubing one-casing length, whereby said end positioner cooperatively with the moving grasping means is adapted to automatically return the tubing to the cutter to restart the manufacturing cycle.
 11. The improved machine of claim 10 wherein said grasping means conveyor includes Opposed finger means, conveyor means mounting said finger means and for continuously moving said finger means about a closed path, and rail means cooperative with said finger means to regulate the opening and closing thereof.
 12. The improved machine of claim 11 including means to gather the tubing in the vicinity of the tail end thereof to stiffen said tubing to assist pivotally raising the same into said pick-up zone. 